Republican County Commission candidates meet in debate

Friday

Jun 20, 2008 at 1:30 AMJun 20, 2008 at 6:48 AM

BY CHRISTOPHER CURRYStar-Banner

OCALA - On Thursday, the eve of the final day of candidate qualifying, the four Republican Marion County Commission candidates who will be in the Aug. 26 primary got together to talk to the voters about the issues.
The Greater Ocala Republican Club, now in existence about seven months, organized the candidates' forum at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Conference Center. Often at these events, with limited time to speak, candidates sound alike with talk of how they will cultivate economic development and promote smart growth.
There was some of that, but each also shared a unique bit of their platform or experience. District 1 candidate Randy Alvord believed that, in a time of budget cuts, the county relies too much on expensive outside consultants instead of its department heads' knowledge.
Mike Amsden, also running in District 1, recalled his extensive local government experience, which included stints on the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board and the Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission before 16 years on the Ocala City Council.
District 5 challenger Ray Strickland said he would cut his commission salary from more than $70,000 to $31,000, the average wage in the county, and not accept benefits or the state pension plan.
District 5 incumbent Charlie Stone said he had the experience with four years in office and his practice of having a once a month work day in a county department.
On the eternal issue of garbage disposal, Amsden, Strickland and Alvord said the county needs a new landfill. Alvord said nearby residents won't like it, but he also supports expanding the existing Baseline Landfill.
"We didn't move into your backyard, you moved into ours," he said.
Strickland supported a regional landfill in Levy County and criticized the county for using a roughly $30 million reserve once set aside for a new landfill to keep the annual residential solid waste assessment low.
Amsden said the county cannot be "self sufficient" if it's trucking garbage elsewhere and a "landfill is the bottom line for future generations."
Stone defended the County Commission's Tuesday night decision to fill up the remaining capacity in Baseline and then haul elsewhere. He said that will let the Solid Waste Department build up its reserve again and a future board can decide whether to go with a landfill or a waste-to-energy plant.
On growth and development, Stone said the county was promoting smart growth with its transfer of development rights program. Through it, developers or owners of large properties put land in a conservation easement in exchange for a credit to build elsewhere at one home per acre.
Strickland, meanwhile, argued some county commissioners were beholden to development interests and would approve projects not in line with the policies of the Comprehensive Plan.
"Look for the builders and developers," he said. "Look where they're getting the money. You won't see money from builders and developers coming into my pocket."
Amsden said new development should have to follow buffering and design rules, such as low monument signs, so they do not become eye sores. He also said it should be mandatory for developers to hold community meetings with residents before taking applications to the County Commission.
Alvord said there should be a sunset provision when developments are approved. If they are not built within a few years, the approval goes away. He argued that would be less stress on the county's utilities and infrastructure.
Christopher Curry may be reached at chris.curry@starbanner.com or 867-4115.